NUNEATON Griff are urging the Coventry Alliance to allow their second team to play Premier Division football next season.

Mark Green, manager of Griff first team who are bidding to retain their Midland Combination title, has called on the Alliance to let reserve sides take their place in the top flight - if not Griff might take their reserves elsewhere.

Griff 's second string finished runnersup to Marconi (Coventry) in Alliance One, 14 points clear of third-placed side Ambleside Sports. But, as the rules stand at the moment, they cannot be promoted as reserve sides are not allowed in the top flight.

Marconi (Coventry) switched their name so that they were a separate club from the one that plays in the Midland Combination, allowing them go up.

But Griff do not want to follow suit.

Green said: "We all know that they are Marconi (Coventry) are Coventry Marconi Reserves - and that should not be a problem anyway. Our first teams are playing at a higher level and if our reserves are good enough to win promotion to the top flight of the Alliance then it would be weakening the Premier division if they were not accepted.

"With Stockingford leaving for the Midland Combination, the Premier Division would need to be reconstructed and we are hoping that the Alliance will see sense and invite reserve teams if they have proved themselves good enough.

"Like all clubs, we want our reserves to prosper and play at the best level possible and finishing second in Alliance One means their performance warrants a place in the Premier Division of the Coventry Alliance.

"We don't see why we should change our reserves' name to, say, Griff (Nuneaton) just to get in, I just hope the Alliance understand where we are coming from. If not then we might have to explore other avenues and that would be a sad way to go.

"Nuneaton Griff have been great servants to the Alliance and vice versa and I'm sure common sense can prevail. It's in the best interest of both the clubs and the Alliance."